Garcon Restaurant Review

: On a popular corner in the Mission sits this friendly and welcoming bistro. The snappy interior features a nautical color scheme: white paper-topped tables sport navy blue napkins, a long banquette in French blue lines the wall while wood floors and chairs add warmth. There is also an intimate back room. The spirit is convivial---even with a packed restaurant, the din is surprisingly unobtrusive. The affordable menu includes some bistro classics, such as duck confit and salmon with béarnaise sauce, yet even with the classics, the kitchen may add flair, as with the pancetta glazed with Xeres (a type of sherry) in the frisée salad aux lardons, or a slice of ham tucked in the savory and satisfying cassoulet. One may encounter such flavor combinations as red and gold beets layered between crispy rounds of Parmesan galette (it works) or tomato coulis that accompanies a peppery crab cake. The preparations exhibit pleasing details, like a goat cheese terrine sporting crispy edges of potato, and the tarte Tatin for dessert (almost big enough for three) comes with a dollop of crème fraîche. Service strikes a good balance of kindly yet efficient.